NTE-SENER Uses SolidWorks Software to Design Sophisticated
Research and Exercise System for NASA

CONCORD, Mass. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — August 23, 2010 —
Though phenomenally fit, astronauts grow weak after prolonged missions
in zero gravity. To help combat muscle atrophy, a Spanish company using
SolidWorks®
software has developed a sophisticated system to test their strength
in space.

Called
MARES,
the Muscle Atrophy Research and Exercise System was developed by
NTE-SENER
for the
European
Space Agency (ESA). MARES consists of an adjustable chair with a
system of pads, levers, electronics, software, and a motor that tests a
dozen muscle groups for weakness and exercise benefits. It was launched
last April aboard the NASA Discovery Space Shuttle and will soon be
installed in the European Columbus Module of the International Space
Station.

“SolidWorks has been a great change from our previous CAD software,”
said NTE-SENER Mechanical Engineer Albert Catalan. “It helped us quickly
create concepts, review them in vivid 3D detail with NASA, and develop a
very sophisticated design, simulating real-world forces on the MARES
system along the way.”

The design requirements were rigorous. MARES needed to restrain the
astronaut, limit motion to the tested muscles, ensure user safety,
deliver power-assisted resistance, and handle any astronaut between the
fifth and 95th height percentiles. The system also needed to
be modular so astronauts could assemble, disassemble, stow, and operate
it.

NTE-SENER used SolidWorks to achieve several design goals:

Ensuring proper fit in the space shuttle by seamlessly exchanging data
with SolidWorks users at NASA.

Packing myriad components into the shuttle’s restricted space.

Detecting any interference among parts.

Reducing risk of failure and injury by analyzing the effect of
real-world physical forces on the MARES system (using
SolidWorks
Simulation software).

Easily accommodating several parts designed by another engineering
firm.

“SolidWorks has helped us quickly and cost-effectively develop an
important system that could dramatically improve the quality of space
exploration and the health of our astronauts,” said Manuel Canchado
Morales, head of NTE-SENER’s mechanical engineering department. “And the
things we learn in space could be useful on the ground, both for
astronauts and the rehabilitation community. The research could
ultimately refine care for victims of paralysis, trauma, or prolonged
immobilization.”